Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1887-06-18


me that the best thing is TO move into
the house ourselves, so that we can tell
him the story is false, if any one leta it
out to him. Just you and |"
.Right." said he.
We had no difficulty in finding a pre-
text for moving in our new domicile he
fore the family. So about 10 O'Clock
one evening, after a substantial dinner in
town. we let ourselves into our new
abode and took possession. A bright
fire, lit by our landlady, was blazing in
the kitchen. We had plentiful supply
Of stimulants and tobacco, and we made
Ourselves comfortable with our slippers
and lounging coats, and prepared for
night oft.
Ensconced in our chimney corners, We
passed the time luxuriously enough We
had made up our minds to sit up all
night and show the ghost what manner
Of men he had to deal with.
"We'll take the ghost by the horns,"
said my brother, 81 only hope we shan't
have to take the devil by his" Twas not
! quite 50 complacent, for inherited some
thing of my fathers nervous tcmpera-
mcnt. However,, | had company, so |
kept up a stout heart. We were very
cheerful and light hearted at first. We
ta!kcdovcr various boyish escapades, and
criticised the character of our friends and
relations.
Finally, the heat of the fire had its in
cyitabe effect, and we began to doze.
| do not know how long |. had been
asleep, but | suddenly awoke with a vio-
lent start. A cold shuddcr ran through
me from head to feet. l had an indefin
able sensation of something strange and
terrible. rose and stretched myself and
tried to feel at my ease. But could not
touched my brother and he awoke
'IIcllo - he said, ''What's the matter?
Why, I've been asleep What's the
time p
''Two O'clock" said l.
",Just the time for a ghost" said he
with unscemly levity. ''Do YOU know,
viii, don't think he'll come here. Let's
go and look for him."
"Anything for change" said l, al
though the thought of pcrambulatine
that great lonely mansion in the dead ot
night was anything but agreeable q
am wide awake"
so am |, said he; and takiug up the
brass candlcstick, he went toward tht
door l followed him closely. W.
passed along the passage, our stealthy
footballs making faint sound on the un
carpcted floor. We eXamir 4 the room
on the ground floor We heard and saw
nothing. We eascended the stairs. Ever
individual stair creaked horribly, but tha
was all. No ghost.
My brother suddenly opened the doc
of bedroom on the first floor In
stantly II gust of air blew the candle out
and as we stood there in the icy cold W
distinctly hcard-a groan. 1t was n,
fancy. 1t was long drawn, waiin.
moan of incXpressible horror and pathos
1t died away in a despairing cadence |
seemed like the sorrowful lam ent of
soul in torment. AS we stood there
grasping each others hands, with on
hearts throbbing in great pulsations,
came again Oh, the horror of it. |
seemed 10 be in the room and close to Us
The cold was dealthy, the silence broke
l only by that weird and awful moan
r Once more it rose and fcll-and somehol
or other the next moment we found oul
selves in the kitchen, with shaking limb
and ashcn faces, rclighting our extir
gui~hed candle. Then we looked at eac
other.
l That was no fancy, Will, said m
brother.
+ 'Fancy-no, replied, my teeth cha,
T tcring in my head. "What are you goin
to doo"
V For my brother had rcllt the Candl
t and was going away.
i I'm going to have another look, h
said.
v But. perhaps l suggested the
e. the ghost cxtincuishcs the light
I'm give him another chance sal
/ my brother coolly. Come along, 70
chattcrinc idiot" With quaking hea
Q | followed his foolhardy footsteps. Tn
time he opened the door more cautiousl,
and we entered with every nerve strun
1 to It's utmost tension. Holding the cal
p. DIE on high we looked around. Pu
vacuity. And the sound came not agail
Y Poor old chap" said my brothe
IS "He can't stand the light. Shall bio
o it out againT'
If YOU do" said l. "But, iokir
II. L